KEEPING THAT CARIBBEAN CONNECTION

by Eva Greene-Wilson, Trinidad & Tobago via Washington DC

If you live outside of NY, DC, MD, VA, or parts of Canada, it may be hard to keep your kids connected to their Caribbean roots. I grew up in a Caribbean home in America with both parents from Trinidad and

Tobago. I knew as I got older that my home was very different from other kids homes. I eventually found out that many of the words used in my home were not even (what the

US would consider) “real” words ! We grew up in the south where, at the time, there was no real Caribbean community. By the time my son was three, he had been to SOMEBODY’S Carnival every year from Atlanta to DC (his “diaper wine” is still a favorite family story). When we moved to DC, I was determined to get him connected. Here are a few things that I do as a Caribbean American mom to get and keep my kids connected and aware of their Caribbean heritage. We support Caribbean restaurants – and take the kids. There is nothing like my cousins roti, buss up, and curry mango, but if we are away from her, we try to take the kids to try different Caribbean Cuisine.

We play Caribbean music in the car and the house, and we all dance. If you are like me and are very careful about what the kids listen to, there are several clean (and even Christian) versions of soca, reggae, and calypso songs. Go on Rhapsody or Pandora, and make a child friendly mix-tape.

We show them where they are from on the map in relation to where they live and tell them their story. Kids love to know their place on the planet, and knowing

that they are actually tied to more than one place amazes them. Our history as a family in America is short. We tell the kids about how their grandparents ended up here, and where the rest of their family is. It makes them feel like part of something bigger than just us. We take them to Caribbean events and cheer for Caribbean sports teams!. During Caribbean American Heritage Month, we took them to the Caribbean American Heritage Festival, and to the Film Festival.

My youngest said, “Mommy! They all talk like Grandma!”. As a family, ‘soccer’ is our sport of choice, and the kids coach is from Trinidad, so when he is assigned to watch a professional match, we try to find a Caribbean team to root for! We discuss the history that they share with many other cultures and countries. We talk about how Caribbean people came to America by way of Ellis Island, just like people from other countries. We talk to them about the slave and civil rights history they share with African Americans. We try to keep them connected to all parts of their culture, and show them where they fit in the world. When it comes down to it, that is really what kids want – to know who they are, and where they fit. A field trip to New York is a great opportunity to show your children the historical impact of the Caribbean immigrant on American society - especially in business, art, and culture.

Eva’s blog Socamom.com is a valuable, entertaining resource for Caribbean Moms, and moms in general. Socamom passes on motherhood knowledge using humor, sympathy, technology, and education. Eva is married, with three children, and celebrates her Trinidadian heritage through her blog.